Automatic feed mechanism for punching and stamping presses



J. HALLER June 26, 1945.

AUTOMATIC FEED MECHANISM FOR PUNCHING AND STAMPING PRESSES Filed April 26, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet l n w my J. HALLER -Jame. 26, 1945.

, AUTOMATIC FEED MECHANISM FOR PUNCHING AND- STAMPING PRESSES Filed April 26, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet? u as 'aubmegs J. HALLER' June 26, 1945.

AUTOMATIC FEED MECHANISM FOR PUNCHING AND STAMPING PRESSES Filed April 26, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 (Ittomegs Patented June 26, 1945 AUTOMATIC FEED MECHANISM FOR PUNCH- ING AND STAMPING RRESSES John Haller, Northville, Mich.

Application April 26, 1944, Serial No. 532,894

20 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in strip feeding mechanisms for punching and stamping presses.

The primary object bf the invention is to provide an automatic feeding mechanism for punching and stamping presses which will intermittently feed the material between the die members of the punch press in timed relation to the stroke thereof so as to increase the production output and thereby increase the efficiency of the press.

Another object of the invention is to provide an intermittent strip feed for punching and stamping machines which is entirely automatic in operation and eliminates the necessity of the operator placing the hands in close relation to the die members of the punching and stamping press to thereby avoid dangerous accidents.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid pressure mechanism operably connected to the ram head of a punching and stamping press for controlling the movement of a feed plunger having intermittent gripping devices for engaging the work or strip and advancing the same between the die members of said press so as to eliminate the use of various gears, rotatably driven rollers and other mechanical devices liable to become out of order and broken or damaged.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic feed mechanism for punching and stamping presses in which the stroke of the feed may be regulated in accordance with the size of the blanking removed from the strip without altering the speed of the stamping and punching press or altering the parts of the feed mechanism materially.

parent during the course of the following description of the accompanying drawings where- Figure 1 is a top plan view of the intermittent feed mechanism embodying the invention showing a portion thereof broken away to illustrate a by-pass valve arrangement for the fluid pressure system;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken on the zig-Zag line 2-2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows and illustrating various details of construction and the general arrangement of the parts thereof; I I Figure 3 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on, line 3-3 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows illustrating the arrangement Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic feed mechanism for punching and stamping presses so as to enable the material being stamped to be fed in strip form and ad'- vanced in timed relation with the reciprocating motion of the punch press ram so that the ram will move upwardly away from the work a short interval of time prior to the advancement of the work or strip,

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic feed mechanism for punching and stamping presses as set forth in the preceding object in which the vertical movement of the ram and operation of the intermittent feed mechanism may be so regulated as to permit the feeding operation at various heights of vertical ram movement to allow the feeding of strips varying in thickness.

Other objects and advantages will become apof the feed plunger as well as one of the intermittent grip devices;

Figure 4 is a vertical cross sectional view take on line 4-4 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows to illustrate the movable cross head upon which is supported the other intermittent grip feed device;

Figure 5 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on line -55 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows and illustrating the general structure of the force plunger and cylinder and the various passageways for communicating said plunger to opposite sides of the feed plunger;

Figure 6 is a vertical cross sectional view of one of the intermittent grip devices and illustrating the eccentric position thereof as well as the spring pressed plunger for urging the grip device toward the strip being fed;

Figure 7 is a horizontal fragmentary cross sectional view taken on line 'l-'l of Figure 6 and looking in the direction of "the arrows to further illustrate various features and structural details of the intermittent grip device; and I Figure 8 is a front elevational view of a punching and stamping press illustrating the manner in which the feed mechanism is applied thereto. In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustrating the invention like reference characters will be employed to designate like parts throughout, the reference character 5 will be employed to indicate a bolster platform of a punching and stamping press (Figure 8) of the crank type having an upper frame portion 6 and ram by means of suitable bolts or the like (not shown). Bolted to the bolster platform 5 is a female die member having its base ll bolted in place by means of bolts [2 in the usual manner. A guide bracket I3 is aifixed to the female die member ID and said bracket has one of its arms formed with a tubular portion M to provide a guide passageway therethrough.

The above description is typical of a conventional punching and stamping press in which a blanking is stamped from a strip S presented between the male and female die members 9 and In so that the blanking will be projected through openings in the female die member,

The invention comprises a feed mechanism for advancing the strips S to the male and female die members 9 and ill in timed relation with the reciprocation of the ram head I. As shown in Figure 1, the invention embodies a casting generally indicated by the reference character 15 and said casting is provided with a base l6 adapted to be fastened to the bolster platform 5 by means of machine screws or the like as at ll. The upper portion of the casting I6 is cylindrical as at l8 to provide a cylinder structure having a bore I9 for accommodating a fluid pressure piston generally represented by-the reference character 20. The lower portion of the casting 5 is provided with branch extensions 2| and 22 to provide an opening 23 directly beneath the cylinder l8 so as to provide a passage through the casting l6 for a strip S as it is intermittently fed to the male and female die members 9 and 10. The piston 20 is secured to the reduced .end 24 of a piston rod 25 and comprises cup-shaped packing elements 26 spaced by means of a washer or the like as at 2'! and as indicated in Figure 5, the oppositely disposed cup-shaped packing members 26 are clamped between clamping discs 28 on opposite sides thereof so as to be retained in position by means of a nut or the like as at 29. The opposite piston washer 28 engages the shoulder of the reduced portion 24 of the piston rod 25. The upper end of the cylinder is adapted to be closed by a plug cover member 36 having a. central bore 3| for permitting passage of the piston rod 25, and said cover plug is held in place by machine screws or the like 35. The bore 3| is enlarged as at 32 for receiving packing material which is adapted to be compressed into contactual engagement with the piston rod 25' by means of a packing gland 33 held in place by machine screws or the like as at 34.

The upper end of the piston rod 25 is screwthreaded for the major portion of its length as at 36 and is adapted to be slidably connected to a bracket arm 38 secured to the ram head 1 by means of machine screws or the like as at 39. Stop nuts 40 and 4| are threaded on the threaded portion 36 of the piston rod 25 so that there will be delayed action between the movement of the ram head 1 and th movement of the piston 20 in both directions of reciprocating motion of the ram head.

Formed on the base l6 of the casing l5 and extending inwardly of the horizontal opening 23 is a pair of oppositely disposed enlargedbosses 42 and 43 having horizontal bores 44 and 45 respectively. Tubular shafts 46 and 41 are fitted in the respective bores 44 and 45 and are held therein by being sweated in place or otherwise secured. The tubular shafts 46 and 41 are provided with axial bores 48 and 49 having radially extending bores 50 and 5| at one end thereof in registry with ducts or passageways 52 and 53 in the casting [5 adjacent the enlarged bosses 42 and 43. The duct 52 is in communication with a vertically extending bore 54 extending through the wing extension 2| and said vertical bore 54 is adapted to communicat with the cylinder bore l9 on one side of the piston 26 by means of a, horizontal duct or passageway 55. Similarly, the duct or passageway 53 is in communication with a vertical bore 56 which extends through the wing extension 22 to a point adjacent the upper end of the cylinder bore 19 so that communication between the vertical bore 56 may be had with the cylinder bore [9 by means of a horizontal duct or pasageway 51. As shown in Figure 5, the various bore are provided with closure plugs 60 to facilitate intermittent cleaning thereof upon removal of said threaded plug 66. It will thus be seen that reciprocation motion imparted to the piston 20 in either of its two directions of movement will cause a fluid pressure in one or the other of the axial bores 48 of the tubular shafts 46 and 41. Screw-threaded plugs 6| and 62 are received in correspondingly threaded openings in the ends of the tubular shafts 46 and 41 respectively so as to close said ends against the escape of liquid in the pressure system.

Supported on the free ends of the tubular shafts 46 and 47 is a casting generally indicated by the reference character 65 and said casting is shaped to provide a cylinder 66 having a bore 61. Diametrically opposed tubular extensions 68 and 69 are formed on the cylinder 66 and are provided with bores 16 and H for the reception of the reduced ends 12 and 13 of the respective tubular shafts 46 and 4'1. It is to be noted that the tubular extensions 68 and 69 extend the full length of the cylinder 66 as do the reduced portions 10 and H of the tubular shafts 46 and 41, and that said shafts project slightly beyond the rear wall of the cylinder and are threaded for receiving anchoring nuts 14.

The front wall of the cylinder 66 is closed by means of an end wall 15 having a bore 16 for slidably receiving a piston rod Tl and said bore 16 is enlarged as at 18 for receiving a packing element 19 which is held in place by means of a packing gland 80. Machine screws or the like as at 8| are provided for securing the packing gland 86 in place and prevent the escape of fluid around the piston rod 11. One end of the piston rod 1'! is reduced as at 82 for receiving a piston structure generally indicated by the reference character 83 and said piston embodies a disc 84 received on the reduced end of the shaft 82 having oppositely disposed cup-shaped piston packings 85 and 86. Clamping washers 81 and 8 8 are disposed on opposite sides of the cupshaped iston packings 85 and 86 and are adapted to be moved toward the piston disc 84 into clamping engagement therewith by means of a tightening nut 96 threaded on said reduced end 82 of the piston rod 17. The other end of the piston rod l! is reduced as at 9| for receiving a cross head generally designated by the reference character 92 and said cross head is provided with oppositely disposed wing portions 93 and 94 having parallel bores 95 and 96 for receiving the respective tubular guide rods 46 and 41. The cross head 92 is slidably mounted on the tubular guide rods 46 and 41 and connection between the piston rod 17 and said guide rods is effected by means of said reduced end 8| being received in an opening 9! held in place by a nut or the like as at 96 threaded thereon. A pair of upstanding lugs I are formed on the cross head 92 in spaced apart relation having aligned bores therein as at IOI for receiving a spindle I02 (Figure 4) A roller I 05 is eccentrically mounted on the spindle I02 and the ends of said roller I05 are provided with short pin extensions I06 threaded therein as at I01 so as to project into a vertical slot I08 (Figures 6 and 1) in the upstanding lugs I00. The upper portion of the slot I08'in each of the lug extensions I 00 is reduced to provide a bore I09 in which is slidably received a plunger IIO for engaging the pin extension I 06 and urging the same downwardly. A coil spring III is mounted in the bore I09 and a screw threaded plug H2 is mounted in an enlarged threaded portion I I3 of said bore I09 so as to compress the spring I I I and tension the plunger III). The structure above described provides a friction gripping element for engaging the work strip S during unidirectional movement of the cross head 92 so as to feed said strip when the cross head 92 is moved in the direction of the casting I5.

Secured to the cross head 92 as by means of machine screws or the like H5 is a contact plate II6 slightly spaced from the friction gripping roller I05 so that the eccentric roller I05 will engage the strip S during said unidirectional movement of the cross head and urge the strip into frictional engagement with the contact plate I I6. A set screw II] may extend through a threaded opening in the roller I05 to secure said roller upon the spindle I02 and prevent lateral movement thereof and displacement from the bores MI in the upstanding lug I00.

Similarly, a friction-gripping roller I is mounted on the casting 65 and eccentrically positioned upon a shaft I2I having its ends supported by upstanding lugs or the like as at I22 formed integral with the casting 55. A set screw I23 is provided for securing the eccentric friction gripping roller I20 in position on the shaft I2I and said roller I20 is provided with oppositely extending pin projections I24 similar to the pin projections I06 (Figures 6 and 7) which extend into openings or slots I25 in the integral upstanding lugs I22. A spring pressed plunger engages the oppositely extending pin projections I24 in identically the same manner as described in connection with the eccentric friction gripping roller I05 carried by the cross head 92 so that a description of one will suflice for both. A contact plate I21 is disposed beneath the eccentric frictiongripping roller I20 and is secured to the cylinder 66 by means of screws or the like (not shown). Set screws I28 are threaded in suitable .bores in the upstanding lugs I22.

It is to be noted that one end of each of the shafts I02 and I2I projects beyond its respective upstanding lug I00 and I22 and is provided with handles I30 and I3! to facilitate partial rotation of said eccentric friction-gripping rollers I05 and I20 during its positioning or initial feeding of the strip therethrough so as to register the end of the strip with the tubular guide I4 adjacent the female die member I0 and establish the desired distance between said rollers.

Communication between the axial bores 48 and 49 of the tubular guide rods 46 and 41 respectively with opposite ends of the cylinder 66 is had through radial bores I33 and I34 which are in registry with ports I35 and I36 respectively intercommunicating each end of the cylinder bore 61. A valve housing is secured to one end of the cylinder. 66 and is generally indicated by the reference character I36 and said valve housing comprises a central partition I31 forming valve chambers I38 and I39 on opposite sides thereof. Relatively long machine screws I40 are passed through opening MI in the valve housing I36 so that the inner threaded ends thereof may be received in corresponding threaded bores I42 in the end wall of the cylinder 66. The joint between the valve casting I36 and the end of the cylinder 66 may be sealed by means, of a packing element I44 interposed therebetween and when the machine screws I40 are tightened in place, said casting I36 will be drawn tightly against the end of the cylinder 66 in such a manner as to prevent the escape of fluid therefrom. It is to be noted that the valve casting I36 is provided with bores I45 and I46 through which extend the ends of the respective tubular guide shafts 46 and 41 so that the axial bores thereof as at 48 and 49 will communicate with the valve chambers I38 and I39 respectively. The partition wall I3! is provided with openings or passageways I41 and I48 having valve seats I49 and I50 respectively for poppet type valves I5I and I52. The poppet valves have their stems I53 and I54 slidably guided in valve guides I55 and I56 extending into the respective valve chambers I38 and I39. The valve guides I55 and I56 are threaded as at I51 and I58 for being received in correspondingly threaded openings I59 and I60 in the side walls of the casting I36 so that said stems may be projected through the threaded openings I59 and I60 and tightened in place by applying a wrench to the polygonal ends I6I and I62 thereof. Suitable coil springs IBM and I54a encircle the valve stems I53 and I54 to normally hold said valves closed on their respective seats. Said coil springs engage the ends of the valve guides at one of their ends and have their other end in abutting engagement with the valve heads. It will thus be seen that a closed fluid pressure system is provided in which fluid pressure developed on opposite sides of the piston 20 will be transmitted to opposite sides of the piston 83 and thereby cause reciprocation of the cross head 92 and advance the strip S toward the male and female die members 9 and ID of the punch press.

The cross head 92 has'secured to the wing extensions 93 and 94 thereof a pair of screw threaded rods I63 which are fixed to the wing extensions by being threaded in suitable openings therein as at I64. The opposite ends of the screw threaded rods I63 extend on opposite sides of the casting '65 and are slidably mounted in a bracket generally indicated as at I66 supported on the cylinder 66 as well as the diametrically opposed tubular extensions 68 and 69 at each side thereof. The bracket I66 is provided'with a pair of oppositely disposed slots I61 for receiving the diametrically flattened side I68 of the screw-threaded shaft I63. In this manner, the threads of the screw threaded shaft I63 are guided in the slots I61 without mutilating the threads of the shaft and said screw shafts are further guided in slots I within oppositely extending lugs I69 formed integral with the diametrically opposed tubular extensions 68 and 69 and at one end thereof. Similar slots are formed in the lugs I69 which likewise engage the flattened opposed surfaces I68 of the screw-threaded shaft I63 to slidably guide the same during the reciprocating movement of the cross head 92. Limit stop nuts I10 and III are threaded on the screw threaded shafts I63 cross head 92 in accordance with the "size of the blanking desired. The stop nuts I10 and 1' are adapted to alternately engage the lug projections 69 and bracket 166 between the liinits "of the crosshead-trave192.

Formed in the bracket 066 is a cutaway portion i n over which is positienea a strap We held in place by machine screws H4 "er the like to thereby provide'a space of sufficiei it width and length to facilitate the passage of the strip S bein g fed to the are niembei s. Supported on the strap W3 and depending therefrom is pair of guide rollers H5 mounted on bolts H6. LA lofi'gituclinal slot 11 is formed in the strap [13 for receivin the upper reduced and thread'eii ends said belts against the underside of the strap 11-3 when the on said tat-eased ends as at H8 are tighten-ed in place. The enjt'stable rollers 115 may he inoved towara and away hem eaen other alone the slots in so that the senses thereof as at 119 Will extend above aha below the strip is and thereby guide said strip by ease contact therewith and simultaneously hold the strip against vibration in a vertical direction during the feeding or advancement thereof to the iii-ale and iemele die members '9 and it.

Various screw plugs I80 may be threaded in correspondingly threaded openings in alignment with the radially extending bores 135 and 1 3s communicating the cylinder bore it! with the tubular guide rods 4'6 and I! "so as te facilitate cleaning of said bores and the removal er sein ment therefrom. It is understood that the tnb'nla r guide rods as and 41 have their "reduced en-as received in the bores To and "H of the diem trieally opposed tubular extensions "68 and ti; res ectively 1 y means of the shoulder 10-! thereof abutting the ends or said diametrically opposed tubular extensions 58 and 59. The other e'nds'of the tubular uide rods 45 and 41 are similarly chored in the casting i5 with the shoulder of the other redueed nd of said guide rod-arranged in abutting relationship with the testing 35 sh that the machine screws BI and 62 Will elempine'iy urge said rods in position.

For consideration of the operation of the feed ing mechanism for stamping and'p'unching ma chines, attention is directed to Figure 8 and it will he assumed that the casting I}; has had its base it bolted to the bolster platform So'i the stamping and punching inachine and that the piston rod25 is affixed for sliding meveme twitm in the opening in the end or the bracket 3:! can ried by the punching and stamping machine rain head I so that movement of the rain head will cause reciprocating movement of the piston after the rain head has travelled downwardly a redet rmined distance and likewise upwardly a redetermined distance so as to eiter'netelyenease the stop nuts it and ml. After the ih't'ei mittent feeding mechanism has thus been at tached to the stamping and punching machine, the strip of metal or other material is fed endwise between the rollers 17s with the senses thereof as at In 'ei'itehdihe above and below the edges of Said 'stiip. The end or the strip is then presented to the eccentrically mounted friction roller I20 and by manipulating the hand piece, said roller may be rotated slightly" a ainst the action of the coil spring lll so as to permit the strip to be passed thereunder and above the contact plate I26. Upon reelasing' the hand piece I34, the roller is urged into neaeement With the trip S to hold the same against retrograde movemont but yet permit forward feeding thereof. The 'eneioi the strip is next 'fed under the eccentrical'ly hie-hinted fi'iction gripping roller I05 by similarly manipulating the 'handpiece I30 to partially rotate the eccentrically mounted roller against the action oi the coil spring IH with the cross head 52 arranged in a position and *adiiist'ed by mani ulation of the limit stop huts 1" "and Hi to more accurately regulate the stroke of the cross head '52 in proportion to, the size of the blanking or stamping desired.

When the strip has thus been manually ted to the intermittent feeding mechanism, the punch press or stamping machine may be operated to cause the reciprocation of the rain head 'lwhi'oh Will likewise effect the recipTO'Cat/ibh 0f the {515'- ton 20 and the reciprocation of the piston s: in the cylinder 86 by fluid transmission. Upon the downward movement of the ram head I, the bracket arm -38 'Will engage the stop nut 40 and ioice the piston downwardly 'so as to move the piston '93 to the right (Figure 2) or toward the valve casting I36. During thisinovement'oi the piston 83, and the cross heafl '9?! the strip is held beneath the male and female die member's Sand M respectivel by the eccentric'ally niouhte' d friction gripping roller I20. When the piston 83 has reached thelimit of its movement, depending on the adjust-intent of the limit stops I70 and HI, the die members will have blanked the strip the usual manner. Upon the upward movement of the ram head 7 the'stbp 40 on the piston rod 25 will be enga ed after a predetriniire'd travel of said ra'rn head a distane sum'e'ient to permit the separation of said die members find free the strip S. Upon continued 'u'pwara mete ment of the ram head, the piston rod 25 shaved upwardly to compress the fll'i'i'd on the epeosite side of the piston -20 and thereby cause the reeves ment of the piston '83 in such 'adirectioh as to advance the cross head 92 treat its r'et'raetea pesition. During the advance movement of the cross head 92 the ec'centrieally mounted 'f-i'ictien gripping roller 15 engages the strip S and {ric none-11y holds the same in engagement Withfth contact strip 6 so as to simultaneously have said. strip a suflicient distance to present ahethr portion of the strip S and advance the saints Betw en the die members 9 and 'l 0.

It is noted that the cylinder 18 is p! a Giana-- et'er enemy larger than th'ejfilirflie'r 66 and that the pistons 20 and 83 are likewise oi 'diflient diameters. This structure provides an increase in power and prevents the stamping and press 7 mg machine from being undiily loaded to the extent of disturbing the operation thereei and per rnit's said stamping machine tobe operated continuously so as to increase prodi'lction. In order to "overcome the differential piston iameters and cylinder dimensions, the spring "seated valves! and I52 are arranged so as to enowex'eess new to travel from one compartment to the ether and facilitate equal displacement withoiit interruptien or the reed mechanism 'o'rthe stroke at the cross head 92. For instance, on the 'defirii stroke or the piston 20 a greater volume or new will be displaced than can be accommodated in the cylinder 66 and in order to evere'ome this differential fluid volume the verve 152 will be uhseatd froifl its seat I50 sees to allow the exeess liquid to flow to the Chamber 13% ohthe other side' or the partition or dividing Wall 1-31 or the valve casting i36. Upon reverse movement or the piston 20 or during its upwara travel the same condition will exist and there WiI-I b e greater volume of liquid being fed to the cylinder 65 than can be accommodated by the bore thereof by reason of the transfer of the fluid to the opposite side of the partition I 3'! of said valve casting 136. In order to overcome this difference in the fluid volume the valve I52 maybe urged away from its seat upon movement of the piston 83 to the limit of its travel so as to allow the escape or transference of excessive liquid from the chamber 39 to the chamber I38 on the opposite sides of the partition l3! of the valve casting I36.

It is to be understood that the closed fluid system involving the cylinders l8 and G6 is' to be filled with a suitable fluid such as oil or the like so as to cause the movement of the piston 83 by fluid transmission in response to the movement of the piston 20. Durin each movement of the ram head I a slight delayed action will occur depending upon the spacing of the stop nuts 40 and ti. The various cycles of the above operation are repeated continuously to provide an intermittent feeding of the strip S between the male and female die members 9 and In and thereby eliminate the stopping and starting of the stamping and punching press as is the case when the press is hand fed.

It is also to be understood that the intermittent automatic feeding mechanism herewith shown and described may be applied to various stamping and punching machines without materially altering the structure of the stamping machine per se and that the form and shape of the intermittent automatic feeding mechanism may be changed and the parts thereof may be variously arranged without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

1. In combination with a stamping and punching machine having a bolster platform and a ram head, a feed mechanism supported on said platform comprising a base, fluid pressure means mounted on said base operatively connected to said ram, guide means on said base, a reciprocating member mounted on said guide means, motor means carried by said guide means responsive to said fluid pressure means and operatively connected to said reciprocating member, and intermittent work engaging means on said reciprocating member and said base to engage and feed material to said ram head upon reciprocation of said ram head and reciprocation of said reciprocating member.

2. In combination with a stamping and punching machine having a bolster platform and a ram head, a feed mechanism supported on said platform comprising a base, pressure means mounted on said base adapted to be operated by said ram head guide means on said base, a reciprocating member mounted on said guide means, motor means supported by said guide mean drivingly connected to said reciprocating member, means for connecting said pressure means and motor means in fluid transmission relationship, and intermittent work engaging means on said reciproeating member and said base to engage and feed material beneath said ram head upon reciprocation of said ram head and reciprocating member.

, 3. In combination with a stamping and punching machine having a bolster platform and a ram head, a feed mechanism supported onsaid platform comprising a base, guide means on said base, a reciprocating member mounted on said guide means, intermittent work engaging means on said reciprocating member and said base to engage and feed material to said ram head upon reciprocation of said reciprocating member, and fluid pressure means controlled by the movement of the ram head for reciprocation of said reciprocating member.

4. In combination with astamping and punching machine having a bolster platform and a ram head, a feed mechanism supported on said platform comprising a base, guide means on said base, a reciprocating member mounted on said guide means, intermittent work engaging means on said reciprocating member and said baseto engage and feed material to said ram head upon reciprocation of said reciprocating member, and fluid transmission means operatively connecting the ram head with the reciprocating member to cause the feeding of material between said ram head and bolster platform in timed relation to the movement of said ram head.

5. In combination with a stamping and punching machine having a bolster platform and a ram head, a feed mechanism supported on said platform comprising a base,. guide means on said base, a fluid pump operatively connected to said ram head, a, reciprocatin member mounted on said guide means, intermittent work engaging means on said reciprocating. member and said base to engage and feed'material to said ram head upon reciprocation of said reciprocating member, motor means drivingly connected to said reciprocating member, and means connecting the pump and motor in fluid transmission relationship for reciprocating the reciprocating member in timed relation.

6. In combination with a stamping and punching machine having a bolster platform and a ram head, a feed mechanism for advancing material between the ram head and bolster platform in timed relation to the movement of said ram head comprising a base affixed to said platform, a pump connected to said ram head, guide means secured to said base, material supporting means spaced from and connected to said base, a cross head movable between the supporting means and said base, a motor drivingly connected to said cross-head, means carried bythe material supporting means and cross head for frictionally engaging 'and feeding material to the platform upon movement of said cross head in one direction with respect to said platform, and fluid transmission means operativelyconnecting said pump to the motor, whereby reciprocation of said ram head will cause reciprocation of said cross head and advance material between the ram head and bolster platform.

'7. In combination with a stamping and punching machine having a bolster platform and a ram head, a feed mechanism for advancing material between the ram head and bolster platform in timed relation to the movement of said ram headcomprising a base afiixedto said platform, guide means secured to said base, material supporting means spaced from and connected to said base, a cross head movable between the supporting means and said base, means carried by the material supporting means and cross head for frictionally engaging and feeding material to the platform upon movement of said cross head in one direction with respect to said platform, fluid pressure meansoperatively connecting said ram head to the cross head to advance material therebeneath upon vertical upward movement of said ram head, and means for limiting the stroke of said cross head to permit the advancement of material predetermined distances.

8. In combination with a stamping and punching machine havinga bolster plattorm' and a ram head, a feed mechanism for advancing. material betvveen the ram headand bolster. platform in timed relation to the movement-oi said ram head comprising a base aflixe'd to said platform, guide means secured 'to said base, material supporting means spaced from and connected to saidfbase, a cross head movable between the supporting means and said base, means carried by the material supporting means and cross head for frictionally' engaging and feeding material to. the platform upon movement or said crosshead in one direction with respect to said platform, and fluid pressure means operatively connecting' said ram head to the cross'headto advance material therebeneath upon verticalupward movement of saidram head. l l

9. In combination with a stamping and punch-- ing machine having a bolster platform "and a ram head, a feed mechanism for advancing materialbetween the ram head and bolster platform in timed'relation to the movement ofi said ram head comprising a base. aflfixed to said platfo rm,"giiide means secured to said base, mater1 1 supporting meansspaced from and connected to saidbase, "a cross headr'novable betweenthe supporting means and said base, means carried by thriiatefial supporting me'ansand cross head for frict'ionally' eng ging and feeding material totheplatform movement of said cross head-in onej'direction with e5pect to said platform, and fluid pressure means operatively connestin said. an. he to: the r s head t a vance material ther'ebeneath upon vertical upwere' ebv ifitteii e q'iem e i m s frictionally engaging the 'material including an eccentrical lvmou tdi friction roller yieldihg-ly ur ed. she t s x s. the gripping, relation M said material, up qn partial rotation thereof.

.0. 1. committee? i t in and punching mac ne having a bolster platform and em h ad, a. es i as ti hte v s tierial e ween. h ran hee ai bolster le form'in timed relation to the movement f said m eadl com r s n an st mx said l form snide n eansse d to said base, material supp t ns' ti ers aced, rq an o i ee to said, base,' a cross; head movable betweenthe p i 1 9195 31 9.. 5%? 35. means carried by thematerial supporting meansandcross head for frictionally engag ng and feeding material to the, platform upon movementofsaid cross head in one direction with respect to said; platform, i p ss m a s creativel annede; a dm. new the creamed. t. ad n e ma er al herebsneeth se; Med ca u w d m r m n saidem heed; .4 51, u d meansee e i d. ma er a sup o g. me ns o sure means operatively. connecting said ram head to the crosshead to. cause. said cross head to move in timed relation to. the. movement of' said ram head.

12. An intermittent 'feed mechanism for punching and stamping machines having a bolster platformv and a ram head, comprising a base adaptedto. be. aflixed to said platform in close proximity to the. ram head, a guide member extendinglaterally. from said base, a. support mounted on the. outer end of: said guide member, a cross head reciprocably mounted on the guide member, friction gripping devices on the supporting member and orosshead for engaging and feeding materiakto the ram head, and fluid pressuremeans operatively connecting: said ram head to the. cross head: to cause said cross. head to move in. timed relation to the movement of said ram head, said guide. member comprising spaced parallel rods for slidably. supporting said cross head.-

13. An intermittent feed mechanism for punching and stamping machines having a, b.01- ste-r platform and: a ram head, comprising a basev adapted to. be. aflixed" to said platform. in close. proximity. to. the ram. head, a guide member extending laterally-from said base, a support mounted on the. outer end of said guide. member, a cross head: reciprocably mounted on the guide member, friction gripping devices on the supporting member and cross head for engaging and feeding material to the ram head, fluid pressure means operatively connecting said ramhead to the cross head to cause said cross. head; to move in timed relation tothe movement ofi said ram head; and meanslfor limiting-the movement ofthe cross head to regulate. the stroke thereof and feed predetermined lengths of material to said ram head.

14. {in intermittent feed mechanism for punching and; stamping machines havinga bolster platform and a ram; head, comprising a base adapted to aflixed to said platform" in close proximity to the ram head, a guidemember extending laterally from said base, a support mountedon the outer end of-said guide member, a cross head reciprocably mountedqnthe guide member, friction gripping devices on the supportingmernber and cross head for engaging and feeding'm aterial to the ram head, fluid pressure meansfoperatively connecting said; ram head to he. @9 eadto a se. sa d. l sh d t mo in timed relation to the movement of-- said ram fl l means. fo Perm tt ng me em nt of 3.191 ani eeq R QQ Q T QQQQ. di t nce. W 1 1 2 gash. strokethe sei Deters efi e he mov ment Qf. saidq ss. ead;

AI; nt mit en d.mfiqhanism. r tamp: na and, numb n ach nes havi olste platform, and a reciprocating. ram head, comprisba aim d, s. z a f m. a i p i s: ur y nde c i d. e aid-b s a s 0 ui 14, 1 swea ing a d. baseand. ex n fl fif lly he siren, a, qr edet car ied hr a d ui e bar he ea idrwe e tion-w h. eamsntion d CY d esteemed: ide-hm m unt d n a s it. ar o mor eta amma Emi aid ase. a d; ewedent ned, y inder r e iq gripping members carried by said cross head and s conslrmen ipned. yl nder e; alterna e en a and; feed: material tel; said, ram head, means conneoting oneiof saidrpifii wle w he ein head and means. connectin t e ot nistn ea d erefi head whereby-movement Qf saidmm 5 .55 llin ciprocate said cross head and feed material between the ram head and bolster platform.

16. An intermittent feed mechanism for stamping and punching machines having a bolster platform and a reciprocating ram head, comprising a base afiixed to said platform, a fluid pressure cylinder carried by said base, a pair of guide bars connecting said base and extending laterally therefrom, a cylinder carried by said guide bars having fluid connection with said first-mentioned cylinder, a cross head slidably mounted on said guide bars to move between the limits of said base and second-mentioned cylinder, friction gripping members carried by said cross head and secondmentioned cylinder to alternately engage and feed material to said ram head, means connecting one of said pistons to the ram head, and means connecting the other piston to said crosshead whereby movement of said ram head will reciprocate said cross head and feed material between the ram head and bolster platform, said riction gripping members consisting of eccentrically mounted rolls yieldingly urged into engagement with material being fed to the ram head.

1'7. An intermittent feed mechanism for stamping and punching machines having a bolster platform and a reciprocating ram head, comprising a base aifixed to said platform, a fluid pressure cylinder carried by said base, a pair of guide bars connecting said base and extending laterally therefrom, a cylinder carried by said guide bars having fluid connection with said first-mentioned cylinder, a cross head slidably mounted on said guide bars to move between the limits of said base and second-mentioned cylinder, friction gripping Y members carried by said cross head and secondmentioned cylinder to alternately engage and feed material to said ram head, means connectof said pistons to the ram head, means connecting the other piston to said cross head whereby movement of said ram head will reciprocate said cross head and feed material between the ram head and bolster platform, and stop members supported by the base for limiting the stroke of said cross head to permit the advancement of predetermined lengths of material to the ram head.

19. An intermittent feed mechanism for stamping and punching machines having a bolster platform and a reciprocating ram head, comprising a base aflixed to said platform, a fluid pressure cylinder carried by said base, a pair of guide bars connecting said base and extending laterally therefrom, a cylinder carried by said guide bars having fluid connection with said first-mentioned cylinder, a cross head slidably mounted on said guide bars to move between the limits of said base and second-mentioned cylinder, friction gripping members carried by said cross head and secondmentioned cylinder to alternately engage and feed material to said ram head, means connecting one of said pistons to the ram head and means connecting the other piston to said cross head whereby movement of said ram head will reciprocate said cross head and feed material between the ram head'and bolster platform, said means connecting the ram head to the piston of the first-mentioned cylinder comprising a bracket afilxed to the ram head and connecting the piston of said cylinder in such a manner as to permit ing one of said pistons to the ram head, said means connecting the other piston to said cross head whereby movement of said ram head will reciprocate said cross head and feed material between the ram head and bolster platform, said base being provided with a passageway in alignment with said second-mentioned cylinder to permit material in strip form to be fed to the ram head upon reciprocation of said cross head.

18. An intermittent feed mechanism for stamping and punching machines having a bolster platform and a reciprocating ram head, comprising a base affixed to said platform, a fluid pressure cylinder carried by said base. a pair of guide bars connecting said base and extending laterally therefrom, a cylinder carried by said guide bars having fluid connection with said first-mentioned cylinder, a cross head slidably mounted on said guide bars to move between the limits of said base and second-mentioned cylinder, friction gripping members carried by said cross head and secondmentioned cylinder to alternately engage and feed material to said ram head, means connecting one movement of the piston a slight distance prior to the movement of said piston whereby a delayed action between the movement of the ram head and said cross head will take place and allow the material to be advanced after the ram head has moved a sufficient distance. 1

20. An intermittent feed mechanism for stamping and punching machines having a bolster platform and a reciprocating ram head, comprising a base aifixed to said platform, a fluid pressure cylinder carried by said base, a pair of guide bars connecting said base and extending laterally therefrom, a cylinder carried by said guide bars having fluid connection with said first-mentioned cylinder, a cross head slidably mounted on said guide bars to move between the limits of said base and second-mentioned cylinder, friction gripping members carried by said cross head and secondmentioned cylinder to alternately engage and feed material to said ram head, means connecting one of said pistons to the ram head, means connecting the other piston to said cross head whereby movement of said ram head will reciprocate said cross head and feed material between the ram head and bolster platform, means for adjusting the stroke of said cross head, and means carried by said second-mentioned cylinder for guiding and engaging the side edges of material being fed to the ram head.

JOHN HALLER. 

